Patient Education

Christopher Van Schenck would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Christopher Van Schenck provides a full range of medical services for the Nashville, Franklin, La Vergne, Smyrna, Brentwood, Oak Hill, Forest Hills, Thompson's Station, Triune, Arrington and Almaville, Tennessee areas including the following:

Addiction

An addiction is an uncontrollable dependence on a certain substance or activity. People become addicted to different things for different reasons, but can be affected both physically and psychologically. With addiction, the activity or substance often becomes the major focus of a person's life, leading to the exclusion of other activities, impairing work, social, and family responsibilities, and affecting the individual's health, mood, and self-respect. Addicted individuals may suffer from anxiety, low self-esteem or depression and often feel as if they have no control over their lives or behavior. ...

Understanding ADHD in Children

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a long-term condition that commonly affects children, with symptoms often extending into adulthood. ADHD can manifest as inattention, impulsivity, and excessive activity, which can disrupt a child's behavior both at home and at school. ...

Understanding ADHD in Adults

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a persistent condition that manifests in symptoms like difficulty focusing, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While ADHD is often identified in children, many individuals continue to experience the condition into adulthood. In adults, the symptoms are typically less obvious, which makes diagnosis more challenging. For some, ADHD is only recognized in adulthood, even though they had it as children. The severity of symptoms may vary—some adults experience significant challenges, while others see their symptoms diminish over time. ...

Understanding Alcoholism

Alcoholism, also referred to as alcohol use disorder, is a long-term condition characterized by an individual's inability to control their drinking habits. Those affected by alcoholism may face significant health, social, and personal challenges. While some individuals may struggle with alcohol abuse—drinking excessively without a full dependency—both alcoholism and alcohol misuse are serious conditions that demand professional treatment for effective management and recovery. ...

Anger Management

Anger management is the process of learning to recognize the signs of one's own encroaching anger and mastering techniques to deal with it safely and effectively. While anger is a normal, healthy emotion, in many people it becomes excessive and out of control, resulting in damaged relationships, employment difficulties, and even physical violence. Uncontrolled anger not only causes disharmony and pain, it is a frequent cause of criminal behavior. In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of how widespread issues with anger are and how greatly they affect the world around us. This has resulted in the development of various anger management techniques designed to channel anger in constructive ways. ...

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious emotional eating disorder that involves an obsession with food, weight and body image. Anorexics go to extreme measures to starve themselves or exercise excessively in order to prevent weight gain. Often, anorexia nervosa is not really about food, but a psychological condition that manifests in an unhealthy and dangerous way to cope with emotional problems and issues of control and perfectionism. Females suffer from anorexia nervosa more often than males. ...

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a range of developmental conditions that impact an individual's ability to communicate, interact socially, and exhibit typical behavior. The spectrum includes a variety of manifestations, from milder forms such as Asperger's Syndrome to more severe developmental challenges. ASD can affect many aspects of life, and early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes. ...

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder characterized by consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time, often with a sense of losing control. Individuals with BED may feel extreme shame, guilt, or distress following these episodes. While those affected by binge eating may struggle with their weight, it is important to note that people with BED can also maintain a normal weight. Statistically, women are twice as likely to experience this disorder compared to men. Although the exact cause of BED remains unclear, it is often linked to factors such as genetics, emotional issues, and environmental influences like family dynamics and stress. Psychological factors, including anxiety and depression, may also play a role in triggering binge eating behaviors. ...

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder, formerly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a mental health condition marked by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. These mood swings typically alternate between periods of intense mania and episodes of deep depression. The duration of these episodes can vary, lasting from hours to months, and their severity can lead to impulsive behavior, emotional instability, and, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. ...

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person is consumed with weight and body image. People with bulimia often engage in episodes of binge-eating large amounts of food and then purging, or getting rid of the food, often through vomiting, use of laxatives or extreme exercise. Many people with bulimia nervosa may partake in a combination of all of these purging methods. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia nervosa usually maintain what is considered a healthy or normal weight, however, they are often very unhappy with their body size and shape and want desperately to lose weight. Bulimic behavior occurs more commonly in women, and is often done secretly because it may be accompanied by feelings of disgust or shame. This binge-eating and purging cycle may occur on a weekly basis, or several times a day in extreme cases. ...

Dementia

Dementia is not a single disorder, but rather a combination of age-related symptoms involving a loss of mental skills and deteriorating brain function. Dementia literally translates to "deprived of mind," and may be the result of several different underlying conditions, some of which are treatable and some of which are not. Patients with dementia gradually lose memory, communication skills, the ability to reason, and the facility to complete the tasks of everyday living. ...

Understanding Depression

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and despair. Individuals affected by depression often lose interest in activities they once found enjoyable and may experience a constant sense of hopelessness. The impact of depression can be profound, affecting various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and daily functioning. However, with appropriate treatment, depression can be managed and controlled. ...

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Disorders are a group of psychological conditions that involve a disconnection from one's thoughts, memories, feelings, or sense of identity. These disorders are often a result of intense trauma, serving as a defense mechanism to protect individuals from overwhelming emotional pain. The brain may separate distressing memories or experiences to help the person cope with what is too painful to confront directly. ...

Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by chronic and excessive worry. Unlike typical concerns that arise from specific events, such as a work deadline or a public speaking engagement, those with GAD experience persistent anxiety without a clear or identifiable cause. This ongoing anxiety can significantly impact daily functioning, affecting work, relationships, and overall quality of life. GAD is common, affecting millions of people, with women being diagnosed at higher rates than men. ...

Grief Counseling

In recent decades, various types of grief counseling have been developed to help individuals cope with the intense and complicated pain involved in losing a loved one. It has been accepted that loss involves many emotions which must be dealt with before the bereaved individual can successfully move on and adapt to the changes wrought by the death. For many people, assistance in the form of grief counseling is a necessary part of the process. Grief counselors, trained in the discipline, may be clergy, psychiatric nurses, physician assistants (PAs), psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, or psychiatrists. ...

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, sometimes both. Although most people suffer an occasional sleepless night, patients with insomnia have difficulty sleeping on a regular basis. This condition affects approximately 1 in 10 people in the United States and can lead to other troubling symptoms, such as fatigue, low energy level, and a weakened immune system. While insomnia is not normally considered a serious medical disorder, it can make life difficult, or even unmanageable. ...

Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy, is a type of therapy that helps couples, married or unmarried, work out their conflicts and improve their relationship. These counseling sessions allow for better communication and a way to talk through problems in a controlled setting. Marriage counseling is often provided by a licensed therapist or psychologist, who works as a mediator between both partners, to help them strengthen their bond and gain a better understanding of each other and the problems they may be facing. Some couples may seek marriage counseling in times of crisis, while others may consult with a therapist for guidance with daily marital issues. ...

Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead individuals to perform repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) in an attempt to alleviate the anxiety these thoughts cause. OCD is common, affecting millions of individuals, and often co-occurs with other mental health conditions. ...

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder in which patients suffer from sudden and unexplained attacks of extreme fear and loss of physical and psychological control. They may feel in terrible danger of overwhelming embarrassment or death. Panic attacks are sometimes precipitated by an anxiety-producing event, but often seem to occur without any provocation and are all the more terrifying for that reason. ...

Phobias

A phobia is a psychiatric disorder in which the patient suffers a lasting, irrational fear precipitated by a harmless object or situation. A patient with a phobia experiences intense anxiety upon exposure to the trigger and may experience anticipatory anxiety as well. Patients with phobias may be aware that their fear is irrational, but may nonetheless find it overwhelming or even disabling. Phobias which develop in childhood, such as a fear of bees or of thunder, are frequently outgrown, while phobias that develop in adulthood may be longer lasting. Nonetheless, about one-fifth of all phobias resolve without treatment. ...

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a common condition that affects an estimated 10 percent of new mothers, causing symptoms of sadness and anxiety during this new and often overwhelming experience. This condition often develops as a result of the physical, emotional, hormonal and life changes that take place after childbirth and as a woman adjusts to motherhood. ...

Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that arises after a person experiences a traumatic event that threatens serious harm or death. While most people may experience fear or anxiety following such events, these feelings typically subside over time. In contrast, individuals with PTSD may continue to experience intense emotional distress long after the event, and their symptoms can become overwhelming. PTSD is often more severe and persistent than typical responses to trauma, and it can affect an individual's ability to function in everyday life. Many factors contribute to the development of PTSD, none of which are under the control of the individual. ...

Understanding Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Many women undergo physical and emotional changes in the days leading up to their menstrual cycle, which is generally considered normal. However, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of these symptoms. It is characterized by a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive issues that significantly interfere with daily life, occurring in the week before menstruation begins. These symptoms typically diminish or resolve completely once menstruation starts. While common signs such as breast tenderness, bloating, or headaches may resemble typical premenstrual syndrome (PMS), PMDD symptoms are much more intense and disruptive, often causing distress or impairing daily activities. Symptoms of PMDD generally fade a day or two after the onset of menstruation. If PMS symptoms are particularly debilitating, a diagnosis of PMDD may be considered. ...

Psychotropic Medications

Psychotropic medications are drugs that alter chemical levels in the brain, affecting mood, perception and behavior. Such drugs have been in existence for hundreds of years, both from natural substances and chemical derivatives, and have been used by many cultures for medicinal and hallucinatory purposes. While many of these drugs are dangerous and illegal, during the last 50 years new medications have been researched and developed under strict scientific control to become effective, often lifesaving, prescription medications for psychiatric disorders. ...

Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders

Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders are severe mental health conditions that involve intense symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, and disturbed thinking. Studies suggest that about 1% of the global population experiences these disorders. ...

Self-Injury

Self- injury, also known as self-harm, occurs when an individual deliberately harms his or her own body. People who harm their own body, often do so by cutting or burning themselves. Self-injury is often related to trauma, and those who harm or hurt themselves are likely to have been abused in childhood. Self-injury is often a coping mechanism used by people to deal with severe emotional pain, anger, or frustration. The act of hurting themselves helps some people forget their feelings and emotional troubles and focus instead on their self-inflicted physical pain. While these people may not be suicidal, they are consciously injuring themselves and may cause permanent damage or accidental suicide. ...

Social Anxiety Disorder

Nolensville Psychiatry, conveniently located just south of Nashville and serving surrounding areas like Brentwood, Franklin, La Vergne, Smyrna, Oak Hill, Forest Hills, Thompson's Station, Triune, Arrington, and Almaville, specializes in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), also known as Social Phobia. This common anxiety disorder affects many individuals, causing them to experience overwhelming fear and discomfort in social settings. For those with social anxiety, even everyday interactions can become sources of significant distress, leading to feelings of nervousness, self-consciousness, and embarrassment. As a result, people with social phobia often avoid social situations, which can interfere with their ability to maintain relationships, attend school or work, and manage day-to-day activities. ...

Stress Management

Now that the deep connection between physical health and emotional well-being has been established, stress management is recognized as an important component of daily life. Reducing stress has been found to improve relationships and personal satisfaction, and make students and employees more efficient. In order for successful stress management to take place, a stress assessment must be completed, designed to evaluate a patient's stress level and to highlight any areas of concern. These results are used to devise a customized treatment plan that provides patients with a variety of techniques to alleviate stress and increase comfort, energy level and productivity. ...

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse refers to the harmful and excessive use of drugs or alcohol, even when it leads to negative consequences. Those who suffer from substance use disorders often experience strong cravings and lose the ability to control their urges to use these substances, which can result in significant disruptions in their lives.

The good news is that substance abuse is treatable. Nolensville Psychiatry offers help to individuals struggling with addiction, helping them overcome their dependencies. Dr. Christopher Van Schenck provides care at our clinic just outside Nashville, conveniently located near Franklin, Oak Hill, La Vergne, Smyrna, Brentwood, Forest Hills, Thompson’s Station, Triune, Arrington, and Almaville, Tennessee.

Substance abuse affects both physical health and daily functioning, potentially causing problems in personal relationships, work life, and overall well-being. Regular misuse of substances, including alcohol, prescription medications, or illegal drugs, can lead to severe health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, liver damage, neurological issues, and even death. ...

Suicide

Suicide, or intentionally causing one's own death, is a serious and all too common problem in the United States. More than a tenth of all deaths nationwide are attributable to suicide and the rate of death by suicide has increased significantly during the last decade. Suicide has recently become the leading cause of death by injury, surpassing even deaths by car accidents. ...

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and vocalizations called "tics." Although not medically dangerous, it causes serious social and psychological difficulties for those who have it because of its unusual, often disabling, symptoms. Typical onset for Tourette's is between the ages of 3 and 9, with males 3 to 4 times more likely to be affected than females. ...